US racial and sex-based disparities in firearm-related death trends from 1981-2020.

BACKGROUND: Firearms cause the most suicides (60%) and homicides (36%) in the US. The high lethality and availability of firearms make them a particularly dangerous method of attempted violence. The aim of this study was to study US trends in firearm suicide and homicide mortality and years of potential life lost before age 75 (YPLL-75) between 1981 and 2020. METHODS: Data in this cross-sectional study were collected between 1981 and 2020 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s WISQARS database for fatal injury and violence. Data from the US population were considered for all age groups and were divided by racial groups and sex for analysis. RESULTS: Those most heavily impacted by firearm homicide were Black, with homicide age-adjusted death rates almost seven times higher than White people. A spike in firearm homicide deaths occurred between 2019 and 2020, with Black people having the largest increase (39%). White people had the highest rates of firearm suicide, and suicide death rates increased between 2019 and 2020. Increases in homicide and suicide YPLL-75 between 2011 and 2020 had most heavily impacted minority populations. Men had a firearm suicide rate that was seven times higher than women, and a firearm homicide rate that was five times higher than women. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that Black and White men were most impacted by firearm deaths, and that firearm homicide and suicide rates increased between 2019 and 2020 for all racial groups except Asian/Pacific Islander. Our results suggest that prevention efforts should focus on specific demographic factors and articulate the urgency to mitigate firearm-related deaths in the US.

Genetic and non-genetic risk factors associated with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmic disorder and its prevalence in the United States is projected to increase to more than twelve million cases in 2030. AF increases the risk of other forms of cardiovascular disease, including stroke. As the incidence of atrial fibrillation increases dramatically with age, it is paramount to elucidate risk factors underlying AF pathogenesis. Here, we review tissue and cellular pathways underlying AF, as well as critical components that impact AF susceptibility including genetic and environmental risk factors. Finally, we provide the latest information on potential links between SARS-CoV-2 and human AF. Improved understanding of mechanistic pathways holds promise in preventative care and early diagnostics, and also introduces novel targeted forms of therapy that might attenuate AF progression and maintenance.